I bought my Sophia II's used, but even so I have to keep telling myself that they are just as delightful as I thought they were the minute before I learned the Sophia III's exist.

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Randy - Wilson Sophia 2; BAT VK-600SE, BAT VK-52SE, BAT VK-5DSE; JL Audio F113 x2; Exact Power EP-15 and SP-15; Oppo BDP-83 SE; Emotiva MPS-1 and DMC-1; Marantz VP-15S front projector; 92" Stewart Firehawk; Rocket 200, 300, 750; ASC Tube Traps; SMS-1; WireWorld Silver Electra 5^2 PC's, Silver Eclipse 6 IC's and Silver Eclipse 6 SC's; Shunyata Hydra 6/Black Mamba CX-HC; Symposium Svelte Plus and RollerBlock Series 2+; Clear Audio Concept (MC); PS Audio GCPH

Thats good to know... I wonder what Wilson would do with all of those used II's???

That shows excellent customer relations.

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Shindo/DeVore Super 8's

One good thing about music: When it hits you, you feel no pain.

Bob Marley

If it wasn't for the fact that I owned a pair of Sophia IIs and then a pair of Sasha back to back, I would say it is much easier to find another amp than it is to match the qualities of Sasha with another brand speaker. While that is still true when it comes to the "other brands" IMHO, the Sophia II is a phenomenal speaker for the money and I am sure the Sophia III will be an even better speaker yet. Yes, for many the Sophia III will be more than enough of a speaker without having to spend another $10k for Sasha but you already own the Sasha, now simply do them justice in the form of an amp that can handle them well.

The problem is, it is difficoult to find an amp that will match Ongaku qualities.

Ongaku + Sophia II was simply magic happening in my room, and I have all reasons to belive Sophia 3 would be even more so.

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Wilson W/P Sasha + darTZeel NHB-108 + dCS Scarlatti

see my comment above I actually agree with Serge. If you think the Sasha is the better speaker than that's the keeper and find the amp that does it justice. Maybe you just need to get the Sophia 3 to match up with the Ongaku in a second system

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Cyril
Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system

I also agree with Serge and cmalak. I do understand the connection you have with your amp. Trust me, I have a MC275 which I would LOVE to have hooked up with my W/P's, however that is just not going to be the case. There are so many wonderfully sounding amps that you can pair with the Sasha's! That is part of the fun is to go out and find an amp that will make them sound magical as your other ones did with your Sophia's.

The problem is, I'm already running out of amps to try (already had the Lamm M1.2R - sold them only after 3 months), LOL.

IMO certain SET qualities just cannot be duplicated by a SS amp.

I have no doubt that Sasha is a better speaker. The problem is, you have to drive it with an inferior (SS) amp. So the solution would be either downgrade to the Sophia 3, or jump straight to Maxx 3/X-2 teritory. X-2 driven by Lamm ML-3 - naw THAT would be a killer combo ...

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Wilson W/P Sasha + darTZeel NHB-108 + dCS Scarlatti

Elberoth...I take my comment back then. Human progress is a function of always marching forward never backward. So Maxx 3s it is.

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Cyril
Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system

IMHO, if you really want to experience the true potential of any low wattage tube amp, especially SET, get yourself 98-102dB efficient speaker that has 8 or greater nominal impedance and is truly tube friendly. At least you will give an amp that is already limited in ultimate linear bandwidth a fighting chance to show you what it can do. Yes, many drive the Alexandria and Maxx 3s with Lamm tube amps but I am not convinced it would be a truly universal approach that would allow you to enjoy any type of music to maximum potential.

I have been reading a lot about the synergy of amps with wilson speakers I know this is a huge personal thing and I don't mean to start a debate at all but what about Wilson SophiaIII with a Mcintosh amp I don't hear a lot of people talking about Mcintosh w/ Wilson? Just Curious